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iLIBIL\RYOFCONGRESS.I 

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1^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA f 



L YRET; 



THE OPENED PATHWAY. 



By JOSEPHINE TYLER 



Mon kme y est empreinte " IMme. de Stael. 



<V GCPV RIGHT'S^, 
^ 1875 V^ 



BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY D. LOTHROP & CGh^Lf '''* 
DOVER, N. H.: G. T. DAY & CO. 

1875. 



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]2ntered accordins to Act of Congress, in tlie year J 875, 

By D. LOTHROP & COMPANY, 
J J the Office of the librarian of Congress at Wasliiugton. 



VINDICATIOK 



Like waves in tumult, thoughts with thoughts 

contending, 
Confusion rouse, their forces wildly spending; 
Yet quelled, and subject to the fixed control 
Of Law Supreme, with sure advance, they roll 
In moral measures unremitting, slow. 
As, tide by tide, broad rivers sea-ward flow. 
My mind disturbed by many a boisterous 

thought. 
Bids each be calm, that late tempestuoic 

wrought. 
And — O sweet hope! — each soothed, un* 

swerving tide, 
Toward the great Deep of Thought Divinl 

would guide. 

By mysteries girt, that bound my wildered 

gaze, 
I walk the narrowing shore of present days : 

3 



4 VINDICATION". 

If to the Past, I wistful, questioning tuni, 
And from the' lips of ancient tribes, would 

learn, 
In vain I call, no answering tones repay — 
The early, countless hosts have passed away; 
Hero, nor sage, nor strong, nor proud, nor 

weak. 
By living voice, from days of yore may speak. 
Some works they schemed, still stand, 'mid 

dust and mould, 
Some deeds they wrought, tli' enduring pen has 

told ; 
While vanished ones, who later joined the 

dead. 
Leave seeming echoes of their parting tread. 
To-day, alas ! in this still chamber, where 
Few sounds of life invade the quiet air. 
Each object dumbly points from passing days, 
To suns which gave lost features to my gaze. 
Here once they smiled, where I now sit alone; 
These walls have echoed their familiar tone ; 
And one dear heart, that loved me in the 

past. 
Throbbed 'neath yon robe, on which my eyes 

are cast. 



VINDICATION. 

Instructed thus, toward future scenes I turn, 
And, 'midst vague forms, the same dread Shape 

discern, 
That spoiled old nations — Death, the Unap- 

palled — 
To whose low Realm, all living shall be called. 

Though youth be mine, I know the waiting 

tomb 
Shall drown, ere long, in chill, sepulchral 

gloom, 
My ardent life — as western seas absorb 
The fervid rays of Day's declining orb. 
Bouse, then, my soul ! there is short space to 

act; 
With wise dispatch thy earnest work transact, 
That speeding hours the richest gain may 

yield, 
And Hope's bright beacon cheer the Unre- 

vealed. 

Being akin to me by each strong tie 
That binds our common-sourced Humanity; 
By all those links which mind with mind con- 
nect ; 



b VINDICATION. 

By povrer to know, to reason, and reflect ; 
By warm desires for blessings unpossessed; 
By fears that wait on sorrow and unrest ; 
By sweet emotions tender and sincere. 
Which greet the true, the beautiful, the dear ; 
By those dark passions that subvert and mar 
Our present joys, with their discordant warr 
And yet by sense of purity and right, 
By hopes that soar from shadow into ligh'. — . 
We are allied. My heart the bond would owe 
Nor, seeking bliss, pursue the path alone. 
And while, in grave narration, I portray 
No baseless fancies to amuse a day. 
But sober sentiments, not thickly masked — 
If kind attention seem not overtasked — 
May thou and I, by Truth'?, perfections won. 
Bow to her sceptre, anc, in unison, 
Pronounce her good, confess her sacred claim, 
And, to her service, raise our steadfast Aim. 



BOOK FIRST. 

THE DAWN OF PUKP03E. 

Analysis. 

Lteet in childhood. Her parents. Her 
home. Her first trials, and their increase with 
advancing time. Youthful discontent. Pres- 
ent pleasures cloy. Ambition is awakened 
and expressed in a song. 



BOOK FIRST. 

THE DAWN OF PURPOSE. 

Ltret, a Minstrel, through ancestral bowers, 
In childhood wandered, charmed to wreath 

her harp 
"With opening flowers. She tried not oft to- 

tune 
The gleaming strings ; but gladly bent to hear- 
Their tones Eolian, when a zephyr passed : 
While gay-winged birds, on green, o'erhanging. 

boughs, 
Sang happy notes of innocent accord. 
She drew existence from two ancient lines. 
Whose traits contrasted. The paternal one 
Was grave, decisive, resolute — in look, 
Tall, swarthy, keen of eye, and broad of brow. 
The mother's race was gentle, quick to smile 
Or weep, mild-voiced, fair-faced, and azure- 
eyed. 
With sun-steeped locks. To both, the Minstrel 
bore 

9 



10 LYKET. 

Resemblance. When in shade she musing sat, 
A soft reflection of her stately sire 
Fell o'er her, lending to her waving hair 
A dej^th of brown, and to her earnest eye 
A darkness whence his eagle glances glowed. 
But when, at mid-day, o'er the lawns of Home, 
She sprang, with merry impulse, o'er her head 
There shone the brightness of her mother's 

hair. 
Her eye grew liquid at a tone of grief; 
Yet swift to dimple was her rose-hued check. 
And glad through natal halls her laughter rang. 

Her Home to her was grand ; its ample dome 
Vied with the hills in an approach to Heaven. 
Beneath were stores of rare and precious 
things. 

Her heart was careless in Life's spring-time 

hours. 
Dreams played above it, as the morning-dyes 
Changed o'er the far-off circle of the hills; 
And mirth fell sparkling on her rippling 

thoughts, 
Like sunlight glancing on her native streams. 



THE DAWN OP PUEPOSE. 11 

Unknown, undreamed, the mountain ramparts 

piled 
In hazy distance, round the vernal plains. 
Sometimes, a gust of fierce, unwonted air, 
Like random dart beyond a war-field straying. 
Chilled her young cheek, and rudely from her 

lyre 
Smote a quick wail soon silent, as the balm 
Of milder gales healed the torn atmosphere. 
Sometimes a thorn in rosy ambush, pierced 
Her tender palm, whose sense the ready clasp 
Of hands parental quickly pressed to ease. 
Parental love ! with what benign control, 
The angels of thine influence led their charge, 
Bestowing all fond ministries of Home! 

How blest was Lyret ! how serene the sky 
That arched her vision, free from darkening 

mist — 
Almost — almost : small as the hand-like cloud 
From Carmel seen, in Jezebel's dark day, 
A tiny vapor, soon to gather bulk, 
Low in the welkin ominously hung. 

The thorn, the gust, the slight foreboding 
mist — 



12 LTRET. 

Were trifling ills ; but the unrest they wrought, 
Subtly, yet surely, with advancing time, 
Spread, poisoning the fresh expanding life. 
Round Lyret's paths were set soft barriers 

framed 
Of budding odorous vines — her early pride : 
These grew vexatious now to the proud eyes, 
Where discontent looked out in wistfulness. 

The drooping blossoms wither on her lyre. 
And she who culled them in their loveliness. 
Returns their blighted petals to the ground. 
Faded they lie, where late they sweetly smiled. 

Now, first, with true regret, the Minstrel sighs. 
Her breathings strike the sympathetic harp. 
Whose echo trembles o'er her dying flowers. 
Not only are the flowrets changed ; but all 
The beauty of the landscape has grown dim. 
Rugged the hills appear ; the lovely dyes 
Of morn dissolve from sky and height and 

stream ; 
And even Home, though sweetness lingers 

there, 
Is not a palace — low its shaded roof, 



THE DAWN OF PURPOSE. 13 

Modest its walls, and their adornings few. 
To utterance moved by new and serious 

thought, 
The Minstrel turns to rule those waiting 

strings 
So quick to answer in capricious notes, 
The mystic, fitful fingering of the winds. 
Her touch unskilled, invokes a light response, 
That, like a kindly whisper, cheers the heart. 
Her hand grows firm, her voice assumes the 

strain, 
Till lofty courage is inspired from song : — 

'^ I'll sing, though my roses are lying 
Oderless, dying. 

And spoiled of their jeweling dews; 
I'll hope, though the pleasures 1 cherish, 
Soon perish, 

As tarnish Dawn's garnishing hues. 

" New scenes from this prisoning valley 
Freedomward call me — 

The charming, the noble, the strange — 
I'll burst through the bounds that restrain me, 
And gain thee — 



14 LTEET. 

Proud crest of yon West mountain range ! 

" Thence Morn, from these lowlands departing, 
Looks backward, ere starting, 

Then springs on her jubilant way; 
I'll hasten, her pinions pursuing. 
Till viewing 

Their flight through the bright gates of Day." 

END OF BOOK FIRST. 



BOOK SECOND. 

TRUTH TEIUMPHANT OVEE FANCY. 

Analysis. 

Ltret leaves her native Vale, and gains the 
mountain heights beyond. Gazing thence, she 
views prospects of danger, as well as of prom- 
ise spreading before her. She regrets the 
scenes of Childhood, yet advances, in hope of 
future satisfaction. She becomes dislieartened 
and weary — enters the Haunts of Fancy, who 
entertains her with songs, dances, and enchant- 
ing exhibitions. The spell of Fancy dissolves. 
The needs of Life call Lyret to the paths of 
actual endeavor, which seem irksome. She 
ignores Truth, who walks near her, wearing 
beautiful attire, fashioned by Nature, whom 
Lyret apostrophizes. 

Lyret seeks praises and rewards, which fail 
to satisfy her. She transgresses holy laws of 
Truth — undertakes rash and vain pursuits. 

15 



16 LYRET. 

Resting once on a mound of earth, she is ad- 
dressed by Truth, who shows her that she is in 
aland of Death, and gives her the Bible — a 
guide to Heaven, where none die. Lyret seeks 
diversion; but her consciencG will not rest. 
She searches the Scriptures, and finds them 
terrible to transgressors. She is rebellious in 
heart — dares not claim the blessings of the 
Gospel. Slie hears then a preacher, who points 
her to the " Lamb of God, which taketh away 
the sin of the world." She looks toward 
" Christ crucified," prays, and believes. " Re- 
joicing Avith joy unspeakable and full of 
glory," she sings in the language of the 
Psalms. 



BOOK SECOND. 

TEUTH TEIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 

'Now in the Yale forsaken : not again 
Shall Lyret frolic through its fragrant glades,. 
Culling their flowers ; nor hear its airy choirs 
Sing from their Home-embowering oriels green.. 
Flit, insect ! blithely o'er the violet bank — 
She ne'er will rob your deft wings of their- 

gold. 
Sport, nimble minnow! by the rivulet's brink — 
Her foot shall part its rushy fringe no more. 

The hills are gained : their bold ascent achieved, 

Has proved a weary way: though, here and 
there, 

Couches of moss have yielded short repose. 

But, ah! what view — what broad, out-rearl.- 
ing view 

Long toiled for, much desired — rewards fa- 
tigue ? 

No dazzling glory blinds the eager eye 
2 • 17 



18 LYRET. 

Hasting the new-found prospect to explore. 

Scenes various rise, where much in grandeur 
spreads, 

And much in beauty. Westward far there 
glows 

A gorgeous vail of fascinating hues 

Clianging above uncertain shapes, which lure 

By mystery, adventure's valiant quest. 

The Minstrel looks and marvels. Doubt con- 
tends 

With expectation, daring with dismay. 

At length, with saddened gaze, she backward 

turns 
To view the sheltered Dell where late she 

played. 
Peaceful it lies, the gauze of distance thrown 
O'er each calm feature of the sleej^ing scene. 
The rose-tree barb, the blast and rising cloud 
Are all forgot — till tears the vision dim. 
The wind moans w^eirdly, as is much the wont 
Of winds to moan about a hill-top bleak, 
When dales are still below. The harp replying, 
Sighs, like a spirit sensitive to grief. 
Roused by its sound, from revery indulged, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 19 

And by the roving airs, that banish rest, 
Thus held the Minstrel converse with her heart : 
" What lightly I renounced, too late I prize. 
And with a mournful tenderness recall. 
On be my course! These winds seem fanned 

by Fate, 
To speed me forth, yon regions to explore. 
Whose radiance tempts pursuit. Be all my care 
Tq keep in pleasant ways, afar from ill." 

Once more Anticipation lent strong aid 
To progress, and adown the mounttin-slopes 
Which farthest lie from the abandoned Vale, 
Hastened the Minstrel, cheered by novel view's; 
Till soon her pathway roughened : here and 

there. 
Sharp brambles tangled to oppose her steps; 
Or jagged stones, hurled from their native 

crags 
By shock primeval, bruised her sliding feet. 

While thus perplexed, as from a lone defile. 
She passed beyond a parapet of rock, 
And paused to seek, with pained, bewildered 
eye, 



20 LYEET. 

Some covert from the zenith-tending sun — 
How grateful rose a fountain's silvery plash 
From out an aromatic grove's arcades ! 
How potent o'er her young susceptive mind, 
The spell of Fancy's syren accents fell ! 
" These are my seats. Through these delight- 
ful shades, 
Which spread in contrast fair, beside the -ways 
Called Real, where grave votaries of Need 
And Duty plod with melancholy gait, 
Illustrious feet in every nge have walked. 
Here Homer mused : here Pindar's lyre I 

tuned. 
I taught the Latin muse, I taught the Greek 
To 'wake unresting echoes. By my skill, 
Pale-browed Teutonic poets sang of old 
Wild sagas, smiting from the North-mined ore, 
Clear music. Long have Oriental bards 
Beside my fountain cherished brilliant dreams ; 
Children of sun-loved climes, with dusky brows 
And hearts of flame, have reveled in my 

haunts ; 
And late, from Occident, a gifted train 
Rove gladly hither — may I welcome thee?" 
With hasty step, deej) in the boasted wood, 



TEUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 21 

The Wanderer hied, yielded to Fancy's hand 
Her harp, and casting by a cool cascade 
Her languid frame, beneath a hazel's boughs, 
Heard the Enchantress warble. First, her lays 
Shed soft Lethean influence o'er such thoughts 
As search the past, or scenes to come forecast ; 
They next invoked from secret dells and 

bowers. 
Dream-nymphs — her children. Lightly robed 
A troop came dancing gaily o'er the grass. 
To greet their Romance-Mother; at Avhose feet, 
They spread, in order fit, with graceful turns 
And steps her music suiting, — gifts of pride. 
One shining metals brought, and perfect stones, 
Which seemed like crystals from a rainbow 

shed : 
One came with blazoned old heraldic arras. 
And regal titles : one the classic keys 
Of Art's fair temples gave : and one bestowed 
Pledges of admiration and applause. 
Impressed with famous seals. Nympths, too, 

there were, 
Who filled bright cups with foaming nectar- 
drops. 
And held their richness forth toward Lyret's 
lips. 



22 LTRET. 

Whil3 now tlic grove was blythc, a strong, 

pure tone 
Distinct from Fancy's melody, rang out 
O'er the heaven-liiling trees : it was, perchance, 
The heavy stroke of a time-keeping bell, 
Wind-wafted from some warder's lonely tower 
Among the mountains; or a signal-call 
Marked by the sons of Duty. As to shore. 
When long the sea has slept, a wave of tide 
kSlow-swelling rolls, and with a sound pro- 
longed. 
Annuls the noise of artificial streams. 
So, at this tone all others instant hushed. 
Nor left an echo. Quick to earth the lyre 
From Fancy's hand fell silent. With her 

nymphs 
She vanished, nor beneath the sylvan arch. 
Left trace or trophy of her pageantry. 
The bell's reverberations thrilled the air, 
And softly ceased. The spell from Lyret's 

mind 
Had passed — the grove how chill and desolate! 
Upstarting from the ground her harp she 

raised. 
And from the forest fared. Her route re- 
sumed 



TRUTH TEIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 23 

In ways called Keal, doubly irksome seemed : 
Nor recked the self-wrapped Wanderer that 

Truth — 
A calm associate of celestial Love — 
Was hovering benignant round her path. 
In varied fashions of apparel, Truth 
Appeared: but always wondrous was her garb, 
And from her own designings finely wrought 
By Nature — Truth's appointed ministress. 
Oft were lier robes of emerald, bestrewn 
With exquisite sweet buds; her buskins dun 
Were embroidered o'er with pearls ; her coronet 
Was sun-bright gold, with diamonds from the 

bands 
Of proud Orion, set on sombre foils. 
But, while her vail swayed by her balmy 

breath, 
Was far too rare to hide her radiant face, 
Whence beamed serene and j^erfect excel- 
lence — 
Not in Truth's honor, Lyret touched her harp, 
And chanted thus, proclaiming Nature's pomp : 

" Imperial Nature ! through thy broad domain, 
What grand processions hold their stately 
way! 



24 LTEET. 

What goodly legions muster in thy train, 
Or speed thy wise enactments to obey ! 
From East to West go forth the ranks of Day, 
With irised banners, 'neath an archway 
bright : 
The gemmed South hails tlie North in pure 
array 
Of silver decked : and height returns to 
height, 
And depth to depth the music — far on high, 
With chime of tuneful orbs, it blends soft'har- 
mony. 

" Day passes, and the hosts of Midnight keep 
Thy watch-fires blazing, through thy dream- 
ful rest : 
Majestic art thou. Empress ! e'en in sleep. 
Strong throb the pulses of thy heaving 
breast : 
Nor shall thy guards forget one high behest, 

Or wave an item of thy least decree. 
But keep thy kingdom's peace, with faithful 
zest; 
Thy realm no shelter owns for Anarchy — 
Atoms have each their place, and, to thy hand 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 25 

All creatures look for law, all things to serve 
thee stand. 

"I read thy lore with reverent delight, 

And breathe my meditations in thine ear, 
When lo ! in forms material, to my sight 

Thou copiest each intangible idea : 
Thine elements show oft with strife severe, 

How bold emotions war within tlie mind ; 
Thy dread, sun-beaconed ether-depths appear 

Like Thought's vast scope, when clay no 
more shall bind ; 
Thy light performings image Fancy's play — 
Modes hast thou, Nature ! for all feeling, grave 
or gay." 



With Truth's primordial claims unrecognized. 
And favor unbesought, shall Nature bless? 
Not long, nor greatly. Not her zephyr-kiss, 
Or tenderest whispering in summer-hours, 
Could soothe disquietude in Lyret's breast. 
Who longed to prove that nectar, which, in 

dreams. 
Had gleamed and bubbled at her opening lips, 
Ere snatched away untasted. Grew this thirst 



26 LYRET. 

So strong, that, vainly, for its cure were tried 
Corrupted springs, in numbers bursting now 
Beside lier way; or troubled streams, that 

oozed 
From broken cisterns hewn with feeble skill. 
These fevering draughts inspired her restless 

brain 
With wild ambitions. Up precipitous steeps 
Encrowned with bays that waved o'er dingles 

dark. 
She sprang presumptuously, intent to -vvin, 
At every risk, the laurel's classic green. 
When, from the labor of such rash attempts, 
Weary and faint, the Rover once reclined 
On grassy mound, 'neath spreading cj-press- 

shade. 
Truth bending near, surprised with sudden 

word, 
Her ear. " See," she began, in tones distinct, 
" Thou restcst on a mound of quiet earth, 
Where mounds abound. Thy shelter dense 

and dark. 
Funereal umbrage casts. Instructed be, 
Thou'rt in a land of shadows and of graves. 
But wouldst thou learn of Substance and true 

Life, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 27 

This Chart shall guide thine unacquainted 

thoughts." 
Then reaching forth a scroll herself had 

penned, 
She bade her listener heed its import well. 
Awed by the dignity of beauteous Truth, 
And ill at ease, beneath her grave attent. 
The Minstrel trembling rose, received the 

scroll. 
And hastened from such presence to be gone. 

The parchment roll of Truth unsealed, disclosed 
Things past, and things to come — revealed 

how Truth 
Exalted dwelt with God when days began. 
And shall abide in pristine strength, when Time 
Shall spread the annals of his finished course 
Before God's searching eye. Then Truth will 

call 
On Justice to dispense eternal meeds. 
In strict accordance with her changeless laws. 
But, ah ! the revelation of those laws 
How dread to Lyret! They forbade all taste 
From hurtful fountains whence she oft had 

drank. 



28 LYKET. 

And here such fearful censure marked each 
line, 

That her affrighted heart seemed bound to 
burst 

Its confines frail, and madly beat its walls. 

But Terror not alone within her raged; 

The angry passion of RebelUon there 

Raved against Truth, pronounced lier teach- 
ings lies. 

Or, if believed, too cruel to be j-::t. 

Pained by the strife, with loud lament, she 
cried, 

"My soul is sick witliin. The heavens above 

Are gathering blackness o'er my cowering head. 

Dismay lures on Despair, and this proud Hate 

Which I indulge, how can it cope with Truth 

Pronounced invincible through every age ? 

E'en could I hope with yon forbidden draughts 

To lull the anguish which invades my breast, 

I know 't would soon arouse, with strength re- 
newed. 

Its sleep the calm that bodes a hurricane. 

But, shoiild it rest through all my wandering 
state. 

Can aught that centres 'neath a range of 
clouds, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 29 

Where dreaded mounds lie dark in cypress 

gloom, 
Confer the glad contentment I have sought? 
All gained hereto, delusive urged me on 
To new pursuits. My schemes — alas ! — were 

vain : 
Recalled, their smiles are changed to looks of 

grief — 
So dew-drops sparkle while the sunlight shines. 
Yet seem but tears, when darkness vails the 

day. 
Oh, that I ne'er had made an Enemy 
Of potent Truth ! For now I cannot deem 
She would regard my humblest penitence — 
Which Hate forbids my heart to entertain. 
Ah ! Wretchedness! thou dost beset me sore: 
Remembrance, thy relentless helper, wounds 
AYith ruthless thrusts ; forebodings dread arise : 
Threatenings alarm ; and since the deadly war 
Is in my soul. Oh, whither shall I flee ? 
One question newly springs : Wherefore did 

Truth 
To me committing term this scroll a Chart 
Of Substance and true Life, when me it warns 
Of Death ? Could she through flattery disap- 
point, 



30 LTEET. 

Who need her warnings fear? I'll search anew 
Her awful archives, by the kindling flame 
Which flickers dim, from Hoj^e's long smolder- 
ing torch." 

As wave-tossed wretches, from a loosening raft 

Explore the blue, illimitable deep. 

For sail, or islet, or the merest speck. 

To change the dreadful view, and harbinger 

Forlorncst chance of life — thus wistfully 

Scanned Lyret the immortal lore of Truth, 

Finding her edicts title-deeds of bliss 

To many a favored soul. In jealous grief, 

She pictured these recipients of joy. 

As starving men behold the guests at feasts 

Where room is not for them. Through fairest 

scenes 
She saw them led, from living streams their 

thirst 
Forever quenched, their wants all satisfied. 
"Ah! hapi^y throng!" the sorrowing mourner 

sighed, 
"I covet your inheritance of rest. 
And fain would enter where you freely roam — 
Shut out in darkness, shrinking from despair!" 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 31 

'Twas then a bright Ambassador empowered 
To sound glad tidings, and to publish Peace 
From Heaven's Tribunal, on the mountains 

pausing. 
Heard with a pitying ear, the sad one's wail. 
" Behold," he cried, " on yonder hill's ascent. 
The Victim and the Healer, for thy faults 
Slain from the world's foundation ! Look and 

live." 

Resolved in soul forthwith, and summoning 
Each energy possessed ; in that dark time, 
Bolting Rebellion from her sorrowing heart, 
Lyret pressed weeping through a Doleful Way, 
To Calvary's summit — a neglected height. 
That rose without a haughty City's walls. 
Daylight had waned, and only one clear lamp 
Hung from the tempest-curtained firmament. 
That guiding Star, from o'er a distant town — 
A little one, among Judean hills — 
Pierced intervening darkness, as the feet 
Of Lyret touched the brow of Calvary. 
Low on the sod she knelt, and poured her 

vows : 
" O Thou Unseen ! of all things that appear, 



32 LYRET. 

Originator! Universal Sun and Source! 
The face of Truth, through Thy communion 

shines 
With glorious light. I turning from her smile, 
Have plunged in gloom. Yet one sweet beam 

of hope 
From Thy bright Essence, darts athwart my 

night; 
As to the darkened earth yon lone pure orb 
Cleaves the dread vault of sky o'er Bethlehem. 
I come to prove Thy Herald's word, to stretch 
My hand forth in this shade, if, liaply, I 
May find the Lamb Thou hast provided here 
To perish in my stead, that I may live. 
Tastnig His blood, though poison I have 

quaffed, 
I shall not die, but truest life attain. 
The pledge of Truth I'll trust: 'tis mine — 'tis 

mine ! 
My soul, like a free ship unrecfing sail. 
And speeding from the land, by strong winds 

borne, 
Leaves the dark shores of earthly confidence, 
And launches on the deep Main of Thy Love ! " 

Then joy ineffable o'erflowed her heart; 



TRUTH TRirMPHANT OVER FANCY. 33 

The heavens above seemed opened, and the hill 
Was bathed in Glory. Rising, she beheld 
One altogether Lovely, Chief of hosts — 
That Worthy One who lives, and yet was 

dead, 
Whose Countenance is as the noon-tide sun — 
Lion of Judah's tribe — Offspring and Root 
Of David, and the bright and morning Star. 
Unnumbered spirits groping in distress, 
Where darkness brooded like the wings of 

Death, 
Have met this Bright One traveling in strength, 
Mighty to save, Binder of broken hearts. 
Freer of captives, Victor o'er the grave — 
And while day broke, and shadows fled away, 
Have made the wilderness resound with praise. 
Cycles to come, they shall prolong their song; 
While voices new of countless hosts unite 
Li every age, to swell the tide of joy 
Rollins: in measures of melodious sound. 



•& 



The Minstrel harped in ecstacy, and sang : 
" O God, my heart is fixed : my harp awake! 
I will myself in early raptures break. 
Praise ye the Lord, hosts that excel in might ; 
3 



34 LTRET. 

Praise Ilim, ye sun, and moon, and spheres of 

light; 
Praise Him, ye heaven of heavens, earth, 

dragons, deeps, 
Fire, hail, snow, vapor, and ye viewless sweeps 
Of stormy airs : cattle, and creeping things. 
Beasts, mountains, trees, judges of earth, and 

kings, 
Princes and j^eople all, young men and old — - 
Sing to the Lord, His wondrous power unfold. 

" I love the Lord, because He heard my voice. 
Long as I live. His way shall be my choice ; 
For, lo! Death's dreadful surges round me 

rolled. 
The pains of Hell upon my soul took hold, 
Trouble and sorrow compassed every side, 
When to the Lord, beseeching help I cried : 
' O Lord ! Thou dost my sin and folly know. 
But save me. Lord — the waters overilow ! ' 
Then heard the Lord my supplicating grief. 
His own right Hand brought victory and re- 
lief; 
From out the miry clay He took my feet. 
The Rock of Ages made my safe retreat, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT OVER FANCY. 35 

Made sure my paths, and taught my soul to sing- 
Exultant honors to my God and King. 

"Praise ye the Lord: the heavens his glory 

teach ; 
Night telleth night, day unto day holds speech; 
From sun to sun, they show the joyful word, 
Above all speech of men, their voice is heard. 
But nought so glad appears in heaven above, 
Or earth beneath, as my Redeemer's Love. 
I know He lives ; and, at the latter day, 
Though long my flesh hath slumbered in 

decay, 
I, for myself, shall see Him as He is. 
And, made like Him, be satisfied with bliss. 
Then wake, my harp, thy sweetest, noblest 

strain : 
Worthy the Lamb who lives, and once was 

slain ! 
He is my Champion on the fields of life, 
Through Him, I'll triumj^h in the last dread 

strife. 
With Him I'll reign — though perish suns and 

spheres — 
Through His unchangeable, unfailing years!" 

END OF BOOK SECOND. 



BOOK THIRD. 

THE PEACE OF EECOXCILIATION'. 

Analysis. 

Joy's ecstacy is gone; yet Peace abides 
with Lyret. She studies the Scriptures, which 
elevate her purposes and warn her of a danger- 
ous Enemy. She sings of the preparation of 
the earth during long ages, to be the home of 
Man, and shows how God's designs were gra- 
ciously directed to her, even " from the begin- 
ning." She sinors also of the Voices of the 
earth, and addresses a Chant of Invitation to 
those "without hope, and without God in the 
world." 



BOOK THIRD. 

THE PEACE OF KECONCILIATIOlf. 

To miss the glory and sublime deliglit, 

Which blessed her in that first revealing hour 

Of Covenant and Favor, and again 

To suffer fear and care, was Lyret's part : 

Yet, as a summer-sky at eve retains 

Soft lingering radiance from departed day, 

So memory held a calm, reflected glow 

Of gladness, o'er the stilled, unquestioning 

heart. 
"A cloud received Him from my sight," she 

said, 
"And from the Hill of Blessing I descend 
Lone and regretful, seeing not my Lord, 
Yet all is well — yes, ever, ever well. 
I am beloved. He will prepare a j^lace. 
Where I shall joyful in His sight abide. 
Through all the days appointed, will I wait, 
In all the steps allotted will I walk, 

37 



38 LYEET. 



Which Truth proclaims my portion and my 

way, 
It shall be well with me — forever well." 



And now she read from Truth's convincin^^ 

scroll, 
Of beauty and of excellence in Love — 
Love which soars upward from those noisy 

scenes 
Where Envy frowns on all things fair ; where 

Pride 
And Lnpudence prevail ; Hate, Selfishness, 
Suspicion, and Impatience rage unchecked — 
To regions fair, where Contemplation pure, 
Reviewing all things, elevates design 
Above base motives, to the sacred ends 
Of goodness and of universal peace. 

Truth's teachings warned the Minstrel of a Foe 
Lurking about her path in treacherous guise. 
Whose subtle art, whose flatt'ring voice should 

gain 
No access to her heart, by list'ning ear. 
Prescriptions, too, they gave for every state 
Of sojourn and of progress : these, when 

learned, 



THE PEACE OF RECONCILIATION. 39 

Woke in her mind obedient, strong desires 
To do or suffer every kind decree. 
Then was her soul with worthy passion fired, 
And lyre and voice to frequent numbers tune;l ; 
Nor Nature mere, nor Thought, nor Art could 

stay 
The heaven-ward flight of her aspiring song. 
High rose her reverent praise, as sight revealed 
The wondrous orders of created things: — 

" While o'er this ancient world I stray, 

A fading child of yesterday, 

How high ! how marvelous ! I deem 

The Power that planned the perfect Scheme. 

The sweet, clan-grouped, expressive flowers ; 

The crystal flakes of wintry showers ; 

Each circling rain-drop of the spring ; 

Each ornate leaf ; each breathing thing, 

Framed for its sphere and thither brought : — 

All teach me of Creative Thought. 

" Stored in yon hills that sky-ward loom, 
Or buried low in vales of gloom 
Beneath yon Ocean, which divides 
Day's even space by measured tides, 



40 LYRBT. 

Lie dim memorials of old eons, 

Whose com'se no mortal records span, 
In whose far dawn the stars sang peons 

To greet the new-made home for Man. 
Where wast thou, Man ! when seraph mirth 
Told that the pillars of the earth 
Were firmly set, at God's decree, 

And ready for their garnishing? 
Ere thine abode was fit for thee. 

Long was the labor of thy King 
To mold, to grave, to paint, to warm, 
To clear and cleanse, through shock and storm ; 
The strong foundation-s})ace to store 
With fuel and to deck with ore ; 
To rear the upland, spread the plain ; 
To hedge about the surging main ; 
Herb, tree, and pasture to prepare ; 
And temper for thy breath, the air, 
Whose vapor-curtains oft unrolled. 

Permit thine eyes to faintly see 
What wonders He ordained of old, 

Whose Law pervades Immensity. 

" I gaze, but shrinking am afraid — 
Nay, heart ! in Him by Whom He made 



THE PEACE OF KECONCILIATION. 41 

The worlds, behold what depth — what height 
Of Love Divine is brought to light ! 
Then comfort ! though I may not cast 
My weak conception down the Past, 
To that Beginning when God wrought 
Creation's boundless frame from nought — 
My soul, my very flesh had place 
In the deep counsels of His Grace." 

Sometimes the Voices of the Universe 
Moved her to join, in cheerful minstrelsy, 
The mighty chorus of their grand accord. 



Solemn monotone of sea; 

Tempest's awful battle-cry ; 
Wind's oft-changing symphony ; 

Bird-song trilling through the sky ; 
Rustle of the flowery spray; 

Chirp of insect ; moan of shell ; 
Laugh of fountains, as they play ; 

Raven's scream in lonely dell ; 
Roaring of the beasts of prey ; 

Bleat of flocks; and low of droves 



42 LTRET. 

On a thousand hills that stray: — 
All are sounds that Lyret loves. 

Flute's clear warbled melodies ; 

Tuneful strains from quivering wires 
Tones from organs loud, that rise 

With the prayerful hymns of choirs; 
Noise of clarion ; bugle's call ; 

Peal of drum ; and clang of steel ; 
Cadences of bells ; and all 

Human voices that reveal 
Passsion true, emotion high ; 

Music that to valor moves ; 
Notes that wake pure ecstacy: — 

These are sounds that Lyret loves. 

Ardor finds expression there. 

Varied, beautiful and strong; 
Hearts that border on despair. 

Break not, if they speak in song — 
Break not, it' they notice well 

Voices lifted all around. 
Of Thine Excellence to tell — 

Author of melodious sound ! 



THE PEACE OF RECONCILIATION. 43 

Blent in one accordant Scheme, 
Grandly down Time's ages roll 

Chords of j^raise — Thou art the Theme 
And Composer of the whole. 

Ravishing to human ear, 

Noble, exquisite, sublime — 
Yet a light, short prelude mere — 

Are the choruses of Time, 
To that Harmony complete. 

Heard where holy splendors glow, 
From the hosts that round Thy seat, 

Sing Heaven's Oratorio. 

It has been deemed a pleasant fate to live 
When bounds the youthful heart with health 

and glee, 
And the clear senses freshly taste delight ; 
It has been thought an honored lot to march 
As a proud leader of victorious bands 
Returning from a conquest over kings ; 
They have been envied, oft, whose smiling 

brows 
Love -speaking myrtle and the box have 

crowned — 



44 LYRET. 

But youth how transient! how precarious 

health ! 
How fickle earthly loves ! and worldly fame 
How jDoor to comfort the enduring mind — 
Seat of all bliss or woe ! Far more be prized 
That restful Peace the Wayfarer enjoyed. 
Its influence, like a halo round the heart, 
Can cheer a pathway winding e'en 'mid 

mounds. 
That reckless throngs who walk unhappy there, 
Might win content, the lowly Minstrel yearned. 



Wake from the sleeping 

Of Death ! Cease from reaping 

Yain harvests of care I 
Come from the weeping 
Of sorrow — from keeping 

The watch of despair! 
Wake from the madness 
Of mirth — from the badness 

Of crime's degradation ! 
Come from the sadness 
Of earth, to the gladness 

Of pure aspiration! 



THE PEACE OF RECONCILIATION. 45 

Come ! nobly scorning 
Delay, in the morning 

Of action and thought — 
Haste ! for with warning 
Earth's fairest adorning 

Is solemnly fraught : 
Every blast moans it, 
The sad ocean groans it 

To human ambition. 
Each tempest tones it, 
The glad sunlight owns it, 

In swift evanition. 

Not all proud measures 
Of fame, nor all pleasures 

That mortals attain ; 
ISTot all the treasures 
'Neath stronghold embrasures 

On Orient main ; 
Not all earth's merit 
Combined, can inherit 

Sweet Eden's retrieval. 
Nor for thy spirit 
Can find, e'er to cheer it, 

Celestial reprieval. 



46 



LTKET. 



Only one lighting 
Of hope is inciting 

Thee now to arise — 
One voice inviting 
Calls, 'mid the benighting 

Of threatening skies. 
List! shall it still thee 
The storm, shall it thrill thee 

With blissful devotion ? 
Say, shall it fill thee 
With warm love, and will thee 

Eternal promotion ? 

Ah ! 'tis One dying 

Who speaks — 'tis One sighing 

On Calvary's cross — 
One for thee crying 
In sacrifice, buying 

Thy gain by His loss : 
Nay — He is ending- 
Death's power. He is rending 

The rock they sealed round Him — 
Haste! thy knee bending 
This hour. Lo ! ascending 

He shines — Heaven has crowned Him! 

END OP BOOK THIED. 



BOOK FOURTH. 

THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 

Analysis. 

Days of affliction, through the death of 
friends. Desolation — murmurings. The Sav- 
iour appears, and guides the Mourner. She 
resumes the duties of Life patiently. A storm 
arises ; but she gains a shelter in the Rock of 
Ages, until the skies are bright again — then 
sings the Story of Experience. 

Lyret indulges in vain speculations, thus 
falling into temptation. She parleys with her 
Enemy, v/ho is disguised in lovely aspect. He 
allures her into a far country, where she dwells 
long. Earnestness departs from her life. She 
is intoxicated with luxury and flattery until 
they pall upon the mind. Oppressed by lan- 
guor and satiety, she walks a lonely shore at 
midnight. A Stranger appears on a dainty 
Vessel. He persuades Lyret to embark witli 
him. Ere they can reach the Isles of Pleasure, 
a dreadful Tempest falls. Their boat, driven 
far from its course, is wrecked on the crags 
which border the Realm of Enlightenment. 

47 



BOOK FOURTH. 

THE DESEET AND THE DECEIVER. 

A VESSEL proves her anchor but in storms ; 
Upon night's sable back-ground glow the 

stars ; — 
And souls, in gloom and tempests of distress, 
Measure the strength of that to which they 

trust, 
And learn the greatness of enduring things. 

Watch well, O Lyret ! evil days draw nigh. 
Whose pain shall test thy new-found confi- 
dence. 
And prove if 'tis immortal, as by fire. 
Affliction checks thy too triumphant course. 
Exacting tithes from thee of sighs and tears. 
Wilt thou receive her, saying, " All is well ? " 
Shall she repeat her visits o'er and o'er. 
And hear thee answer ever, "All is well? " 

Long. time had Lyret sweet communion shared 
4 49 



50 LYRET. 

With kindred hearts, whose kindness ne'er had 

waned. 
At her delight, they joyed : her sorrow woke 
Their sadness sympathetic and sincere. 
The hour approached, when faces which had 

smiled 
Upon her, as the sunbeams shine on flowers, . 
Should change and vanish, never to return. 
Long, at a distance, covering his approach 
With slowness, had the frightful spectre-form 
Of Dissolution mocked the feeble powers 
Of mortal skill to circumvent his aims, 
Or to evade the contest he decreed. 
But no discharge was granted in that war. 
Most dire lie came, and how invincible 
He looked, on near approach — of terrors King! 
Crushed in his weird embrace, Mortality 
Gave up her trust, and crumbled back to earth. 
The treasure freed from her frail keeping, rose 
To its High Source : the waiting sepulchre 
Wrapped its thick darkness damply round her 

dust. 
To Lyret gazing on the fearful lists. 
Well was confirmed that oracle of Truth — 
" Thou 'rt in a land of shadows and of graves." 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 51 

Now sombre clouds o'erhung her lonely way, 
The chilling blast which swept her echoing 

lyre 
Was burdened with a murmuring, desperate 

voice 
That harshly whispered, "Say not, 'All is 

well,' 
Complain thou tortured! Dare decry the 

power, 
Supreme or finite, which permits thy woe. 
No crime of thine invokes so hard a fate." 
A river bright whose tide, 'neath clearer skies, 
Had flowed so calmly Lyret called it "Peace," 
Late watered all the land; but now 'twas 

drained. 
Grimly the chasm yawned which once it filled. 
And but a rill coursed through its deepest bed. 
Shunning the scene, turned Lyret where 'mid 

tombs 
Were some who cried, and cut themselves, and 

wailed. 
There sullen sat she down, impatient grown 
Of the allotments of her darkened way. 
" It is enough," she said, " now let me die ! " 



52 LTKET. 

Softly there stole a fragrance on the gale, 

Of myrrh and cassia — such their garments 

shed, 
Who dwell in ivory palaces of kings — 
And One approached, of Mien to levy love 
And honor high. "What dost thou here?" 

He said. 
"This wild is Danger's range. Rise — follow 

Me." 
Humbly, with drooping head, and face suffused 
With shame, that One so Fair had seen thereon 
Hateful contortions of mad discontent, 
Lyret obeyed. Her old deserted track 
Was reached. Her Leader blessed her — and 

was gone. 
Lingered the echoes of His dulcet Voice 
Long in her ear — they seemed not new, but 

old. 
Zeal, warm and glowing, from her quickened 

heart. 
Rose, like sweet incense, wafted to the skies. 
Lightly a dismal waste of plain she trod, 
With cheerful purpose, that its changeless sea 
Of dearth and dullness, patience should out- 
sail. 




^J^^^^iiS^^^-^* * 



THE DESEET AND THE DECEIVER. 53 

'Twas passed at length ; but while before her 

reached 
Crag, mountam, dale, grouped by diversity, 
A storm long-boded fell : the furious clouds 
Shot frozen sharp artillery, fiercely swift. 
Then, lo! an aged Rock, in ample cleft 
Received her, till, the liquid strife o'erpast. 
Mild sunshine came the landscape to repair. 
Now were the tall trees jeweled : every leaf 
And grass-spire shone in freshly burnished 

green. 
And peaceful tides the river's channel filled. 
Sparkling in broad abundance to the sea. 
The Wanderer's song blent with their melody : 

" That day when the dread accusation 

Of Conscience indicted my soul, 
And billows of deep tribulation 

Began o'er my spirit to roll — 

" I saw — Oh, the strong consolation ! — 

Nailed high on a canceling tree. 
The writing of just condemnation. 

And knew there was freedom for me! 



54 LYRET. 

"No longer, in sad desolation, 

I groping despaired of release ; 
But wandered in sweet meditation. 

Beside the fair River of Peace. 

" Swift came the dark days of mutation. 
When springs in the desert were dried. 

And murmurs of evil persuasion 
Were luring my footsteps aside. 

" But foes, nor the powers of temptation, 
Nor death-shades, nor storm's angry reign 

Have tarnished the beams of Salvation, 
That gladden my spirit again. 

" Behold how the face of creation 
From tempest emerges more clear! 

My soul, with a new exultation. 

Comes forth from the strivin^cs of fear." 



It was a time of leisure and of calm 

To the young Minstrel. By a streamlet's side. 

That noisy glistened in a shallow bed, 

She careless passed ; till, in a j^iny grove, 

Green yielding turf allured her to recline. 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 55 

There, idly musing, she reposed awhile, 
List'ning the brook-notes blended, now and 

then. 
With soft, unsteady snatches from her harp, 
"Which, light, hung swaying on a bended 

branch. 
Of Time, Philosophy, and Chance she dreamed. 
Heeding the formal, emblematic pines. 
Unheeding one ! canst thou so soon forget 
Instructions past, and ways of Peace forsake ? 

Alas ! that was a dangerous place for ease. 
Where ever near the watchful Tempter lurked. 
He came — not stern, with hostile frowns of 

hate. 
But angel-like, in fair, attractive guise. 
"Lend me thy praise," he said; "teach thy 

sweet harp 
To sound my honors ; I will then fulfill 
The gayest visions of thine earlier days. 
By Fancy's wand invoked. Of kingdoms 

proud. 
The crown I wear : their glory I dispense. 
And their delights, among my partisans. 
Who wait to give thee greeting and high rank 



56 LTRET. 

In their bright train. The good they share is 

plain 
And present to the eye, the ear, the hand; 
Not hidden, distant and mysterious, 
Like those A\ngue, doubtless, most unreal things 
Fabled in legends to reward the toil 
Of brain-sick pilgrims to a gloomy Hill 
Crowned by a mournful Crucifix — the dread 
Of ignorant souls, the laughter of the wise." 

Sur])rised at first, then, by his artful siege, 
Half-Avon the yoke of credence to assume, 
Lyret had yielded audience to her Foe, 
Till, at his scornful mention of the Cross, 
Suspicion woke. She answered, " Who art 

thou, 
Who dar'st to speak disdainfully of that 
My soul reveres? Comest thou. Unknown, 

from realms 
In which no Mount of Ebal sternly towers? 
Oft have I seen, in vision rapt beside 
My sounding lyre, the world in darkness laid. 
Destruction brooding o'er her quaking shores, 
And Death and Ruin ranging wide for prey. 
Then have I viewed upon an eminence 



^ THE DESERT AND THE DECEIYER. 57 

Toward the sun-rising, a refulgent Cross. 
Angelic bands, to see the holy sight, 
Roll back the midnight curtains of the sky; 
Death from his victims shrinks to hide in 

shame, 
And Beauty springs from ashes and decay." 

Crafty, with mild, confiding tones, he said, 
"Thou hast a j^leasant voice for song, me- 

thinks, 
And skill upon an instrument to play. 
Thou could'st almost persuade me to believe 
Thy words well-fitting garments of thy 

thoughts." 

Eager, she cried, " But what I know, I speak, 
x\nd testify to what my soul maintains. 
Homeless I wander in an alien land ; 
But prophets, seers, and trustful men of old, 
Have beaconed all the changeful wilderness. 
Heeding their landmarks, I shall find, at 

length. 
The firm, continuing City of their hope. 
Already One, before me gone, prepares 
My dwelling there, and, at the terminal 



58 LYRET. 

Of all my way, shall bid me 'Welcome Home.' 
'Tis He who, erst, with prospering sword, re- 
claimed 
This region from the bruised Oppressor's hold, 
And gave his royal oath to make the w^ild 
A blooming, cultm-ed promise of His rule. 
In coming time." 

He sighed, pretending grief 
And high compassion. "Thus thou art de- 
ceived. 
Where is the promise of His coming? Since 
The fathers slept, all things remain unmoved. 
Alas ! thou art by Superstition led 
Through dismal by-ways lonely and o'ergrown 
With poisonous branches of unwholesome 

roots ; 
While o'er thy head should flourish, in the 

glare 
Of broader skies, fruits of unrivaled bloom. 
Chance holds a cup of sweetness to thy lips. 
And bids thee drink, forgetting every care. 
Earth laughs upon thee from her merry streams, 
And hints of pleasure in her reckless gales. 
Ah! thou art one" — thus coiled the Flatt'rer's 
snare 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 59 

Insidiously — "who should enjoy wide fields; 
ISTot plod old pathways hedged and difficult. 
Thy winged superior thought, from burden 

free, 
Should float superbly, like a glittering bird 
Sailing in sunlight through the boundless air." 

She heard his words, and pondered. "Duty, 

then," 
She thought, "is not, perchance, a grave, ma- 
jestic Queen, 
Whose seat is Order, whose prime-ministers 
Are Vigilance, Obedience, Patience, Prayer — 
As lately I opined; — but mirthful, gay, 
A Patroness of Ease." Then Lyret saw 
The Sophist turning. His dejected mien 
Awoke her grief, his guileful sighs disturbed 
Her will from its true poise. She wavered — 

gazed — 
And followed next, to chide, but yet console. 
O piteous scheme ! O weak forgetfuluess 
Of warnings traced on Truth's revealing scroll ! 

Fain to mislead, the cunning Foe prolonged 
Her vain pursuit, through various novel routes, 



60 



LYKET. 



That seemed, reviewed, too lengthened for re- 
turn — 
Then quick he vanished, and the Harpist stood 
Alone, where all was new. The landscape lay 
Bathed in a dense, yet glowing atmosphere. 
That lent soft indistinctness to the scene, 
Vniling nnfathonied depths, obscuring bold 
Appalling outlines — till the rugged frowns 
Of Ilorcb-steeps seemed gently sloping hills. 
Earth looked a brilliant amphitheatre; the sky, 
Its high, illumined dome, beneath whose arch 
Transactions passed in entertaining acts. 
Infatuate, oblivious of the past. 
Here dwelt the Minstrel many a careless day. 
Those w^avcs of thought were still, which, tem- 
pest-urged, 
Once towered as mountains, yawned to fright- 
ful chasms, 
Or, moving in unanimous advance, 
Reflected Heaven upon their placid tides. 

Perhaps they stir anew. Some motive wakes 
To tuned expression — list! again she sighs. 
But, ah! how changed her numbers and her 
themes ! 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 61 

Lightly she warbles, and her strains have power 
To summon fantasies like those which play 
Amid the fumes of Eastern opiates. 
On every side, pleased auditors appear, 
Where all seemed solitary late. Their praise 
Swells on the Shiger's ear. Intoxicate 
With adulation, gaily she resumes 
The unpremeditated flight of song. 



Days are not bound. No charm is found to 

hold 
Seasons in check. Forward their orders flew 
On wings incapable of poise or turn. 
The Songstress' brows were circled, with the 

bays 
Of proud renown : her footsteps sank 'mid 

flowers — 
When, as she thought content almost attained, 
Her mind grew weary of luxurious ease, 
Her heart grew hungry for new sustenance. 
Her system languished for a clearer air. 

No longer morn supplies of freshness lent, 
No longer eve repose, or night sweet slumber 
sent. 



62 LYRET. 

Restless by day, she paced her blooming range, 
Crushed the bright buds, and wished them dull, 

for change. 
Once when the Moon by amorous floods was 

wooed, 
To a white beach she strayed in languid mood. 
And watched the sheeny waves, whose wanton 

play 
No calm fixed star blessed with one heavenly 

ray. 
'Twas Luna's lower brightness, ringed with 

haze. 
Made shore and ocean lustrous to the gaze. 
She hears a dashing of resisted tides. 
And, lo ! a gilded prow the waves divides. 
Whence, as its swift edge nears her eager eyes, 
A Stranger, landward gazing, she descries. 
With gallant bearing, now on deck he stands, 
Furls the soft sail, and casts with graceful 

hands 
A gleaming anchor in the curving bay. 
Toward Lyret waves a greeting bland and 

gay— 

Then trains a lute his fancy to obey. 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 63 

'Tis fitly tuned, a short, prelusive air 

Floats to the shore — theo, pleased the list'ner 

there 
Is made with winning skill, a Poet's theme, 
While, on her harp she leans, fixed, as in 

dream. 



My magic bark would not obey 
The weary helm, when distant lay 

My purposed course from thee : 
I let the boat at random glide — 
She quickly bore me to thy side. 

Drawn on mysteriously. 

My mystic shallop would pursue 
Thy magnet eyes — I linger, too, 

Obedient to their power. 
If augurs I interpret well, ' 
My song shall hold thy mind in spell 

Unbroken from this hour. 

Then let thy voice responsive say 
Thou wilt attempt this sparkling way, 



64 LYRET. 

Wilt sail these seas with me, 
Leave thy few pleasures worn niid tame, 
And seek fair regions whence I came, 

Fate-borne, in quest of thee. 

He pauses, throws his waved locks from his 

brow. 
And, leaning 'gainst an image on the prow — 
A witching shape of Venus holding high 
Her shining head — he hears a soft reply : 

Lyret. — Are there regions, Stranger fond. 
These alluring waves beyond. 
Where the heart is never leaden. 
Where no languor steals to deaden 
All the ecstacies of being? 
Gladly would I seek them, fleeing 
Far with thee. Tliy numbers charm me — 
But can there no evil harm me 
On thy light bark ? Is not Ocean 
Swept by tempests whose commotion 
May to fearful depths o'erwhelm 
Ships that mind no guiding helm? 
I have known the liojhtninsj's dart 
From a summer cloud to start. 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 65 

Much I fear that rocks are spread 
O'er the billows' hidden bed. 
Stranger, may not death ensue, 
If I sail the sea with you? 

Stranger. — Fair Melodist, so kind a gale 
As bears to me thy peerless song. 
Shall guide caressingly the sail 
That wings us merrily along. 
Thy voice w^ill quite entrance my ear. 
When severed from the words of fear. 
Let doubt be banished — come with me 
To shores of mirth and liberty ; 
And thee my bark shall safely bear, 
By Venus and her Realm, I swear ! 

The slender anchor to the deck he raised, 
Unfurled the sail, and, as the light keel grazed. 
Landward impelled, the smooth, declining sand. 
Bounding to shore, the Stranger kissed the hand 
Of yielding Lyi'et, bore her on the barge. 
Then veered his airy craft straight from the 
pebbly marge. 

From crest to crest the weightless vessel flies, 
6 



66 LYKET. 

The mainland disappears ; but distant rise 
Low shadowy isles. The Wooer gaily tells 
His trustful charge, what gorgeous beauty 

dwells 
On all those shores, where they shall walk, ere 

long, 
Through bowers whose halcyon shade shall 

echo with their sone. 



Darkness invests the sky, and fearfully 
Storm leagued with Night, gives battle to the 

sea. 
Fierce breakers lash the isles — their low, soft 

turf 
Dissolving, strews its spoiled bloom on the surf. 
No tinsel boat can sail securely now, 
No light, presumptive touch will Ocean's wrath 

allow. 



There is a Region high, rock-fortified — 
The Land of Understanding, firm and wide, 
Whose solid crags o'ershadowing Error's main, 
Unmoved, the shock of his mad waves sustain. 
The light of Heaven, in purest splendor there 
Falls on the spirit through reviving air. 



THE DESERT AND THE DECEIVER. 67 

There Folly's bark is dashed by surge and 

blast, 
There, from its wreck a lonely Minstrel cast, 
Grasps at cold rocks, by slippery weeds o'er- 

grown, 
Trying to scale those steadfast walls of stone. 
The massive cliffs frown on her useless strife 
To climb, with hands by vain, luxurious life 
Enerved, their barrier steeps. The whirling 

deep 
Buffets her form. Gross darkness spreads in- 
tense, 
Save when keen lightning cleaves the Void im- 
mense. 

END OF BOOK FOURTH. 



BOOK FIFTH. 

THE AIM DIRECTED. 

Aiiahjsis. 

The Minstrel, saved from Death, sits on a 
promontory of the Realm of Enlightenment, 
and sings a Pa^an, in j^raise of Divine Love, 
which rescued her. 

She is feasted in the courts of Wisdom, who, 
leading her in pleasant ways, teaches her con- 
cerning human transactions, and God's Glory 
manifested in the material Universe. 

A change of experience follows. Lyret de- 
scends into new paths of suffering, and trem- 
bles on the confines of Despair. She cries to 
God. A soft breeze clears the sky; and her 
downcast eyes trace her Saviour's footprints in 
the Yale of Weeping. Hope revives. The 
Minstrel tunes her lyre, and sings of Disap- 
pointment, Regret, and Faith. 

The South wind prevails, and the sky is 
serene and beaming. A Way opened before 

68 



THE AIM DIRECTED. 69 

the Minstrel, leads her to a height whence she 
views the Kingdoms of Earth. These attract 
her not. Her thoughts are set on Christ's 
"Kingdom which cannot be moved." She 
hails signs of its advancement, and sings of her 
Aim respecting it — then presses along the 
opened Pathway with happy heart, seeking the 
"prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus." 



BOOK FIFTH. 



THE AIM DIEECTED. 



A SONGSTRESS, rescued from o'erwhelming 

foam, 
Sits on an upland, beautiful for site, 
Sweeping her harp recovered and renewed 
In every part by some restoring hand. 
Great is her joy, since solemn : and she pours 
A Paean on the Northern breeze — while Morn 
Pure from her Eastern fount, in sj^lendor rolls 
O'er rock-walled shore, and broad, subsiding 

sea: — 

"Sweet morn-blessed earth! sweet smiling 

skies ! 
The spirit whence these numbers rise, 
Wears sweeter beams than o'er you shine — 
Sweet joy, sweet peace, sweet hope — are 

mine! 

" I shall behold you melt and burn, 

71 



72 LYEET. 

See e'en your lamps to darkness turn, 
Shall bloom while you are withering, 
And prove, as now I boldly sing, 
That death, nor life, nor angel-might, 
Princedoms, nor powers, nor depth, nor height, 
Nor things that are, nor things that wait — 
My soul from Love shall separate. 

"Hail! Sun of everlasting rays — 
All-powerful Love ! to drown thy blaze 
Yon deadly billows surge in vain ; 
Thy piercing beams search out the main. 
Where sinking, helj^less and alone. 
The lost, faint Wanderer is shown. 

" Hail Thou ! whose word ajDpeased the storm, 
And saved me faithless — well Thy Form 
I knew, transfigured, as when first 
Its glory on my darkness burst. 
When a lone Hill of Sacrifice 
Shone like the walls of Paradise, 
And healing leaves of deathless bloom 
Wreathed the cleft portal of Thy tomb. 

"I triumph — but alone in Thee : 



THE AIM DIRECTED. 73- 

Truth's mandates warned of perfidy — 
Self-willed I roved. The fault is mine, 
The praise of rescue all is Thine. 
Yet who among the sons of men, 
Who more exalted dare condemn, 
If Thou acquit? Ah! who shall chide, 
When Thou Supreme art satisfied ? " 



'Twas grand, 'twas excellent to feel the full 
Clear pulse of vigorous being, freshly bound 
In those free upper airs, where Wisdom dwells ■ 
With Prudence, finding Knowledge out. 
'Twas good to sit a guest within her hall 
Seven-pillared, by her maidens thither led. 
And given to drink her wine and taste her 

bread. 
'Twas excellent to walk with Wisdom forth 
To view all human ways, and contemi:)late 
The sowing and the reaping of all fields ; 
Or gaze with her upon the works of God, 
And call to mind his dealings in old days ; 
Or, at her word, to fly idea high 
In that Infinitude His Glory fills, 
Till Comprehension's earth-bound wing was 

strained, 



74 LYKET. 

Too weak to break the tie which hekl it back, 
And jiass beyond that Glory's outmost beams. 

Such were the joys of Lyret, till advanced 
Beyond the view of Error's treacherous waves. 
And long the Summer smiled upon her smiles, 
The fiGf-tree blossomed near her, and the vine 
Offered its rii^ened clusters to her hand. 



A season came, a Winter of the year. 

When thought grew comfortless, and hope 

grew faint. 
With moody brow the melancholy one 
Traced the deserted mazes of a glen 
Flowerless and chill, pressing, at each slow step, 
A mournful eloquence from withered leaves. 
Each desolate winding made her gloom more 

deep. 
Her sky waxed sullen, and December gusts, 
Fraught with some bursts reflected from afar. 
Discordant shrieked, then whispered, then were 

still. 
This cheerless Vale where Lyret wandered 

long. 
Explored at length, reveals a terminus 



THE AIM DIRECTED. 75 

Hid from the kind surveillance of the Sun, 
Watched by no star — a cavern of DesjDair. 
Hold within hold, deep within deep is there. 
Till inmost yawns, than Mammoth's vast recess 
More dark, more dread — the direful keep of 

Woe. 
Had Lyret entered there, the verse were done, 
That sings the story of her wanderings. 
What dirge funereal could approach her fate? 
There is no requiem for a spirit lost 
To consolation and the hope of peace. 
Chant to the raging billows of the sea 
A song of rest — chant to a roving star. 
Piercing returnless depths of void profound, 
A tuneful hymn of order and of time ; — 
But Singer ! shun th' abysses of Despair. 
Lyret escaped their horrors ; though her steps 
Had well-nigh slipped, and, though delivered 

oft, 
Still oft returning toward their quaking brink, 
In murky fumes enveloped, she was forced 
To mourn complaining, sorely pained in soul : 
" How long, O Lord? Rememberest thou no 

more ? 
Elast Thou in anger shut Thy mercies up ? 



76 LYRET. 

Consider, Lord ! let not the Foe rejoice. 
Come, at Thy Presence let the cloud-wrapped 

hills 
About this valley towering, smoke and shake. 
Touch these perpetual barriers that they bow." 

There rose no echoes at her piteous cry. 
From any near abysm — though often there 
A slightest sound reverberates, prolonged 
In frightful thunders, through each caved ex- 
tent. 
A soft breeze, born of Southern skies remote. 
Rushing adown the Yale, bore on the words. 
And left a sudden silence — having cleft 
The noxious fumes in j^assing, and disclosed 
Traces of other footsteps than her own 
To Lyret's downcast vision. Like these 

seemed 
To those she followed from tlie place of tombs. 
In other season. Had He passed this way. 
Who then conducted? Sinking Hope revived. 
Cherished by old Experience, whom she proved 
A kindly nurse, though trained by cruel Grief. 
Cast dowD, but not destroyed, the Minstrel 
sang, 



THE AIM DIRECTED. 77 

While, stirred from long repose, her harp- 
strings rang : — 

" Far back in the Past, cliscerning 

Bright joys that fore'er are o'er, 
My heart ! art thou thither turning, 

Art grieving the wrested store? 
Vain, vain Avere the deepest yearning — 

Why longer their loss deplore? 
The Past, thy remonstrance spurning, 

Shall yield thee her wealth no more. 

" Away in the Future beaming, 

No visions of bliss appear ; 
No sun, through the dull mists gleaming, 

Disperses the clouds of fear. 
Alas ! there is yet the seeming 

Of many a spectre drear — 
Say, say thou art only dreaming, 

Come, heart of my bosom ! cheer. 

" Ah ! heart, to the poor beseeching. 
The needy has breathed desire. 
And low to the fallen reaching. 
Would fain to the stars aspire -— 



78 LYKET. 

Would seek of a blind guide, teaching, 
S^yeet strains, from a tuneless lyre, 

Or, lore of the wise erapeaching, 
On earth, the Empyreal fire. 

" Sorrowful, lone, and weary, 

My spirit attempts to sing — 
Come, Faith! with thy numbers cheer me. 

Come, bear me on sky-ward wing. 
My soul, from these mazes dreary. 

On high to some bright realm bring: 
Truth, blazing in glory near me, 

Shall round me her warm rays fling. 

" Faith ! — herald of joys eternal ! — 

Like dove, from a land unseen, 
Thou bearest, of bloom supernal, 

Plucked leaflets of living green. 
Thou provest that shore is vernal. 

Unclouded its day serene. 
By gloom from the depths infernal, 

That border this vale terrene. 

" Unfettered thy lofty soaring, 

Sublimest thy wondrous flight — 



THE AIM DIRECTED. 79 

Far bowers of the blest exploring, 
Thou warblest with their deUghL 

Ah ! why should my spirit lowering 
Her glance Avhich the heavens invite, 

On visions of sadness poring. 

Still stoop in these shades of night ? 

" How pure is the sky, wdien lending 

Its blue to tlie tranquil sea! 
How fair are the rivers wending 

Through forest and flowery lea! 
How dear are the smiles attending 

Thy presence. Humanity! 
How charmingly flows the blending 

Of melodies tuned for thee ! 

But fairer than aught appearing 

In light of thy fairest zone. 
Rise pictures of beauty, cheering 

The vision of Faith alone. 
And ne'er to thy mortal hearing 

Those ravishing songs are known, 
That greet her while sweetly nearing 

The gloAv of the Upper Throne." 






80 LYEET. 

The Southern wind returning, with wide wing, 
Swept all encumbrance from the lighted skies, 
And brought a still, small whisper : "Lo! before 
Is set an open way Avhich none can shut." 

A smooth raised Highway, straight aj^parent 

made. 
Led gladdened Lyret from the Glen of Gloom, 
To placid ai/s, on fair, prospective heights. 
Around her, now, the world's gay kingdoms 

spread — 
Mirthful, and grand, and gorgeous to their eyes 
Who ne'er drained falsehood to the bitter 

dregs, 
Nor paused when wisdom lifted up her voice. 
But not the viols sounding at their feasts. 
Their shallow laughter, nor their song, can turn 
The thought of Lyret from these potent words 
Still echoing round her spirit : "Lo! before 
Is set an open Way which none can shut." 
Nor can the glitter of those kingdoms win 
To all their pomp the Minstrel's fixed attent-, 
For, lo ! above them, she beholds an Orb 
Whose diamond rays, cutting the crystal heav- 
ens. 



THE AIM DIRECTED. 



81 



Outgleam the sunbeams. This a prouder Star 
Than that which, shining o'er Judean hills, 
Guided her footsteps 'mid the deepest shades 
That e'er vailed light and beauty from her eyes. 
This is the Star of Jacob, waited long — 
Star of the Christ, Whose Sceptre, dread with 

power. 
Smiting the corners of Earth's realms, "yet 

oiice 
Shakes Earth and also Heaven, that shaken 

things 
May be removed, and those alone remain 
Which can not change." Already, to her gaze, 
The height and greatness of that Star aug- 
ment. 
And quiverings from that Sceptre's onset- 
shocks 
Affect the ground around her. To her ear 
There comes the noise of chariots and of 

steeds. 
Those fiery ranks were, by Elisha's prayer. 
Revealed of old — nor has their sacred flame 
And mettle cooled. Still, to the wars of God, 
They marshal with invincible array. 
Pure ardor springs to flame, in Lyret's breast, 
6 



82 LYRET. 

Refilling Purpose in its glowing heat, 
And weldino: Resolution to an Aim. 



O Kingdom of Heaven ! 

My Aim is toward thee, 
Thy triumphs to welcome, 

Thy wonders to see. 
Thy peace and thy grandeur 

I'll lovingly sing, 
Till aliens shall listen, 

And bow to thy King. 

Let seraphs record me 

Thy citizen now, 
The sign of thy children 

Be set on my brow ; 
My joy be their gladness, 

My boasting their praise. 
My strength their Salvation - 

The Ancient of Days. 

All excellent beings. 
All beautiful things, 



THE AIM DIRECTED, 83 

All honor of nations, 
All splendor of kings — 

Shall be to that Kingdom 
Whose gates shall prevail 

When all things opposing 
Must tremble and fail. 

My heart, be thou waiting, 

My raiment, be clean ; 
For surely advances 

That Kingdom unseen. 
O Kingdom of Heaven ! 

My Aim is toward thee, 
Thy triumphs to welcome, 

Thy glories to see. 

Thus Lyret sings; then presses firmly on 
Along her chosen way. Her eyes no more 
Regretful dwell on aught that fades with use, 
But turn expectant toward a Mark — the Prize 
Of a high-calling. 

Voyager blest ! adieu. 
Could I — thy Limner— dip my pencil's point 
In colors of that Prize beyond thee set, 



84 LTEET. 

The traces of those lasting dyes should fix 
The vain, insatiate looks that idly rove, 
Strike admiration from Hate's chilly glare — 
Yes, pom- through dying eyes, on parting souls, 
A radiance lighting e'en Death's Vale of 

Shade. 
And could some "saint in light" their lustre 

view, 
Methinks, with smile celestial, he might say: 
"Those are familiar tints — reflections caufyht 
From the bright Gain which, since my little loss 
Endured, with recompense, in Time's do- 
main. 
Is mine, through Favor, in this Treasure-Land." 



018 604 153 7 M 



